Eruption at submarine Home Reef volcano, Tonga
A new eruption was observed at Home Reef submarine volcano in Tonga through satellite imagery acquired on December 7, 2024. This marks the second eruptive phase at Home Reef volcano this year.
Franklin Fire forces urgent evacuations near Malibu Canyon Road, Los Angeles, California
A rapidly spreading Franklin Fire broke out on Monday night (LT), December 9, 2024, near Malibu Canyon Road, California amid a Red Flag Warning and severe Santa Ana winds, placing nearby residents on urgent mandatory evacuation.
Heavy rains in West Java flood 172 villages, leave 10 dead in Sukabumi, Indonesia
At least 10 people are dead, two are missing, and more than 1 000 homes in 172 villages have been submerged following a week of heavy rains in Java, Indonesia, local officials confirmed on December 9, 2024.
Powerful explosive eruption and pyroclastic flows at Kanlaon volcano force urgent evacuation of 87 000 people, Philippines
A powerful explosive eruption took place at Kanlaon volcano, Philippines at 15:03 LT (07:03 UTC) on December 9, 2024, producing a massive ash plume and pyroclastic flows. As a result, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the Alert Level to 3 and ordered urgent evacuation of 87 000 people living near the volcano.
Northeast experiences double threat of snowmelt and rainfall, heightening flood risks, U.S.
Temperatures across the Northeast are expected to reach 4 – 10 °C (40 – 50 °F), melting significant snow accumulations from last week’s lake-effect snowstorm. Rainfall totals are forecasted to reach 76 – 127 mm (3 – 5 inches) in some areas, including the I-95 corridor.
Earthquake swarm SW of Adak Islands, Alaska
An earthquake swarm has been occurring southwest of Adak Islands, Alaska, since December 8, 2024, beginning with M6.3 at a depth of 18 km (11 miles). The swarm includes multiple significant earthquakes, including two M6.3 events, an M6.1, and numerous aftershocks up to M5.8.
Strong M6.3 earthquake hits Andreanof Islands, Alaska
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit Andreanof Islands, Alaska at 19:57 UTC on December 8, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 18 km (11 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
M6.1 earthquake hits Kuril Islands at intermediate depth, Russia
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the Kuril Islands region, Russia at 10:25 UTC on December 8, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 220 km (137 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Taiwan logs record seismic activty with 42 quakes surpassing M5.5 in 2024
Taiwan has recorded 42 earthquakes exceeding magnitude 5.5 on the Richter scale in 2024, marking the highest count since precision seismic monitoring began in 1991 with the implementation of the Taiwan Strong Motion Instrumentation Program. The surge in seismic activity has been largely attributed to the April 3 Hualien earthquake, a powerful magnitude 7.4 event that struck 15 km (9.3 miles) south of Hualien City, causing extensive damage, 18 fatalities, and over 1 100 injuries.
Strong explosion at Mount Dukono, Indonesia
A strong explosion took place at Indonesia’s Dukono volcano at 06:15 local time (LT) on December 7, 2024, producing a tall ash column up to 6 km (20 000 feet) above sea level (a.s.l.).
